Figure 12

Model for force-mediated branch patterning. a, The long-range traction forces (pink arrows) align cell motions in the same orientation. b, The spatial distributions of traction forces, F _x and F _y , created by the constrained (red) and escaping (blue) cells, respectively, are anisotropic along x and y axes. Here, the constrained cells move along aligned linear ECM polymers (green) such as type I collagen (COL) fibers. On the other hand, the escaping cells are attracted by un-aligned ECM polymers. The densities of the constrained and escaping cells are ρ _c and ρ _e , respectively.